The house love is building

IT IS almost three years since Jonathon Barber died but the man who loomed large in the Echuca-Moama community in life is still being honoured in death.

A spectacular home is being built in the prestigious Winbi Estate and its establishment and construction has been dedicated to ‘Barbs’. Once completed it will be sold and the money raised will be used to benefit the future of his and his wife Trudy’s three children – Cooper, Macey and Spencer.

Helping complete the job their husband and father would have done given more time.

Charles L King director Troy O’Brien, one of the organisers of the Barber Family Future Fund, described Jonathon as “a huge figure in the local community who would always be the first to put his hand up to be involved, to get on a committee, or coach a team”.

“When he died there were so many people who wanted to contribute in some way,” Troy said.

“We – and his family – have simply been overwhelmed by the support to date,” he said.

“Even now, every week, there are new people getting on board, just another wonderful example of how generous our local community is.”

The fund started with a small group – including Troy, Jim Cosgriff (Cosgriff Lawyers) and Andy McGlone (Lockwood Partners) – getting together to find a way of supporting his family into the future.

He said not only did they all feel they needed to do more, so did many others.

“As a result we decided to build a home in Moama to raise funds and support Cooper, Macey and Spencer in their future endeavours,” Troy added.

“Lot 94 at the Winbi Estate was purchased for this home and construction began.

“There are a number of ways you can contribute to this wonderful project – if you have a trade you can donate your time (as many local tradies have already done), or if you are a supplier you can donate or discount products to be used on the build.

“However, you don’t have to be a builder or tradie to contribute; there are many other ways to support this.”

Troy said they have a list of materials and items still needed for the build.

Alternatively he said you can directly donate funds, which will be used to purchase items.

“Barbs was only 47 when he died from cancer in 2016. His infectious personality is missed deeply by his family and his many friends, near and far,” Troy said.

“This project is wholeheartedly supported by the many groups, organisations and clubs which were blessed to have received Barbs’ enormous generosity and amazing capacity to give,” he said.

“That includes Echuca Junior Football Club, St. Mary’s School, Moama Play Park and, in particular, Moama Football Netball Club, of which he was a life member.

“In supporting this project, businesses would not only be supporting the future of the Barber children but also aligning themselves with the caring and overwhelmingly generous Echuca-Moama community.